Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm very pleased with the interest so far :) Oh, and just to clear things up; the POV will make more sense later on but it is mainly going to be Sally's. You will see some more of the residents in this chapter though...

Chapter Two

"Death & Dignity"

(Sally's POV)

One month later…

It was a collapsed lung that took Lightning's life. Of course, it wasn't really that which took him. It was the undying passion for his sport, it was the risk he took stepping foot on the track, it was the freak accident with no one to blame. And after he'd turned his life around so much, became a better version of himself…why it had to be him I'd never understand.

The formal funeral sat like a blurred childhood memory in my mind. Who would want to remember that type of thing anyway? The residents of Radiator Springs, we fought long and hard for permission to bury Lightning out under Willy's Butte.

With the general funeral over, the sole populace of town decide to meet and hold a private remembrance ceremony. We gather on a cool, cloudy evening around the single gravestone. Red grieves openly and Mater drapes his arm around me while Doc reads in strain from a ratty piece of paper. My straight strawberry blonde hair blows in wisps across my face, but I never once steal my eyes away from my lover's headstone. And as Doc drones on about tragic loss and a better place, I feel something stir in my heart. Bitter fury and cold indifference grows from within me.

My eyes tear to Ramone holding Flo closely. My thoughts seethe with rage. How can it be fair that they have each other, when the only love I've ever known is gone already? What makes Flo deserve him any more than I deserved Lightning? Hell, Ramone should be dead over him!

I curse myself and dig my nails deep into my flesh. How can I think such terrible things? But it still doesn't make it fair that Lightning's dead. I'm a lawyer; I should know the definition of 'fair'. And it isn't right that the townsfolk carry on like this, hiding their real feelings. I can't help that Lightning is gone, but I can at least change that. I can bring their feelings to the surface.

Doc continues in monotone, "Let him be in our hearts and-."

"Stop it, Doc!" I snap at last.

Eleven heads jerk up as my voice cuts through the wind. Their faces look horrified, yet relieved.

"Sally?"

"No! Don't read any more of that!" I say and pull away from Mater. I step forward, drawing scattered looks from the group. "All of you, look at me! Now, don't tell me any of those readings mean a thing to you!" I shout at them shamelessly, "Look at me for God's sake! We all knew him in our own way, there is no use reading a bunch of generic script over his grave."

"Sally, it's the respectful thing to do. If you-," Doc interjects.

I turn on him swiftly. I'm about to lose control, if I haven't already. I storm at him and snatch the paper from his hands. My voice comes out weak, "How can you say that? You loved him like a son!" I gesture my arm at the others, "Tell them that, Doc. Remind us all how unfair it is that he should be dead right now. That's the truth we're all thinking, so why can't you say it?"

Doc's tired, old eyes turn moist as my words hit him full force. When not a soul raises their voice, I crumple the paper and tear it into tiny bits. Lifting my fists to the sky, I uncurl my hands and we all watch the pieces flutter away into the breeze.

Still no one speaks, and I finally break. Falling to my knees, I start choking with uncontrollable sobs. Beneath my hands I feel hard desert dirt. Grabbing clumps of the red sand and stones I fling it as hard as I can. No longer able to see through my tears, I just lay there and cry so hard it hurts to gasp for air.

Low whispering comes from the other townsfolk and I feel Mater's arms lift me back up. Mascara streaks down my face but I cease from sobbing and hold my head high with dignity. I shoot scrutinizing looks at them all, especially Doc, hoping they feel pity. Many bow their heads with fear from such intense emotions, but Doc stares through me with stony eyes.

Lightning is gone :'( Let the angst begin... Thanks again for reading, love the support of your reviews 3